U.S. to Aid Russian, Chinese Ships Stuck in Ice

SHANGHAI—A heavy-duty U.S. icebreaker is steaming toward Antarctic waters to assist a Russian research ship trapped in ice since late last month and a Chinese vessel that got stuck offering support during a continuing drama near the South Pole, authorities said during the weekend.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, which had been on its way to Antarctica, will steer toward the Russian vessel Akademik Shokalskiy and China's Xue Long, according to statements from U.S. and Australian authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard...